Mattathias Maccabeus

Mattathias Maccabeus was a Jewish priest and leader who played a crucial role in the Maccabean Revolt around 167 BCE. He opposed the Seleucid ruler's attempt to impose Hellenistic customs and violate Jewish religious practices. When ordered to worship Greek gods, Mattathias refused and killed a government official, sparking a rebellion. He led guerrilla warfare against the Seleucid forces, inspiring Jewish resistance. His actions laid the foundation for the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple and the eventual establishment of an independent Jewish state. Mattathias is honored as a symbol of faith, resistance, and national identity in Jewish history.